Ebtekar withdraws candidacy in favor of Mousavi Tehran Times Political Desk

TEHRAN – Former Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar has released a statement announcing her withdrawal from the presidential candidacy in favor of Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Ebtekar said she was “qualified” for the presidential post and that she was sure that her qualification would have been “approved” by the Guardian Council. She added that she believed that the contest of the election by women was “another political and social achievement for the nation”.

However the former director of the Environment Department at the Khatami administration said she made such a decision because unanimity in the reformist camp is of utmost importance.

Ebtekar also praised Mahdi Karroubi’s “brave” stances in the election campaigns but insisted that Mousavi is the “most qualified” candidate.